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Calgary New Furnace

With shorter days and cooler temperatures getting closer each week, it’s time to look towards the winter weather that lays ahead so that you can be prepared. With the inevitable icy temperatures that our Calgary winters bring us, we must rely heavily on our furnaces to keep us cozy and warm. With all the extra usage, your utility bills can increase by a lot in no time. That being said, with some preventative maintenance, you can ensure that your heating system is primed and ready to take on the weather as efficiently as possible to keep you toasty without the costly burden.

Here are five advantages of furnace maintenance that make it clear why it is worth the investment.

Lower Your Energy Bills

Your furnace is similar to your car. It requires regular maintenance to get the most out of it and to keep costs as low as possible by preventing any major issues from occurring. By having your furnace regularly maintained, especially before the winter season, you’re helping to improve the efficiency of it. This equates to less energy required to keep your home warm.

Extend the Lifespan

Just like with any other equipment, taking care of your furnace will allow it to function properly for much longer. Regular furnace maintenance will identify any lingering issues and repair them to avoid any damage that can contribute to major problems.

Less Hassle and Repairs

By having your furnace serviced regularly, it can help monitor any discrepancies with it that can be dealt with before they lead to larger, more expensive repairs. That means less hassle and aggravation for you.

Keep it Functioning Safely

Safety is also an important by-product of performing regular maintenance. Qualified technicians will check the furnace, monitor and change the filter when necessary, remove debris that can accumulate around the unit, and ensure that there’s no risk of carbon monoxide entering your home.

Improved Capacity for Performance

When you take proper care of your furnace, it will improve the performance, along with the capacity to work better at maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout your home during the winter.

Calgary winters can quickly equate to spikes in your utility bills with all the use your furnace gets. Make your winter season worry-free by taking care of the maintenance now. Distinct Heating & Cooling has technicians that can come and service your furnace to have it ready for the season ahead. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

Did you know the leading cause of home fires is caused from the improper use of heating equipment within the home? The largest number of home fires caused by heater accidents occurs from December through February. Here at Distinct Heating & Cooling, we want you and your family to be safe and remain warm, without the risks of accidently starting a fire in your home by offering these tips and suggestions:

Furnace:

Verify there is at least a three-foot clear space around your furnace. You should never store flammable objects or other items next to your furnace. Items placed too close to the furnace can become hot, and eventually start on fire. If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove in your home, also make sure there is sufficient, clear space.

Shut off your furnace if you notice strange smells in the air, like burning plastic, or other such smells that could indicate a problem with the heating system. After shutting off the furnace, contact us immediately to schedule an inspection.

Have your furnace inspected and tuned-up to ensure it is operating correctly. The vast majority of furnace failures during the winter is due to systems not being well-maintained.

Remember to change your furnace air filter as needed. Depending upon the type of filter installed, it could require changing monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. If you are not sure how often to change it, do not hesitate to ask one of our furnace technicians for advice!

Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in key areas throughout the home. Remember to test the detectors at least once a month.

Other heat sources:

Never use your oven or cooktop to heat your home. While it can be tempting to rely upon this appliance when there is a problem with your furnace, it is not designed to work as a heater.

Have a professional clean your fireplace or woodstove chimney as needed. Depending upon the type of fuel used, you may need to have the chimney cleaned more frequently during the winter.

With fireplaces and wood burning stoves, make sure you are using the correct fuel type. For instance, if you have a gas fireplace, never burn wood in it. In addition, never burn trash or other such items in the fireplace or stove. Use a screen with fireplaces to stop sparks from getting out and always operate the wood stove with the door closed.

When cleaning out the ashes from fireplaces and wood burning stoves, make sure the fire has completely gone out. Never put hot ashes into plastic or wooden containers. Always use a metal container to put the ashes into and promptly remove them from the home. Do not pour the ashes out until they have sat inside the container, a safe distance away from the home for at least 24 hours.

Never use propane or kerosene heaters within the home. Not only is this dangerous, but they also give off harmful carbon monoxide.

For more fire safety tips or to schedule a furnace tune-up and inspection, please feel free to call us, here at Distinct Heating & Cooling by phoning (403) 477-3810 today!

When temperatures drop in Calgary, furnace heating becomes the key to a healthy and happy home.

However, it can also become dangerous if the proper furnace safety precautions are not observed. At Distinct Heating & Cooling, we came up with the following tips and suggestions to ensure that you and your loved ones not only stay warm, but also safe during the colder months of the year.

Start Me Up!

When starting up your furnace for the first time in the fall you may perceive a peculiar smell. This can be normal as your furnace may have collected dust sitting idle during the summer months. The dust burns quickly and the smell should dissipate. However, if the strange odor persists, shut off the furnace and consult a qualified professional. Be aware of leaky valves or pipes, as gas can escape and be incredibly dangerous. Don’t hesitate to call Distinct Heating & Cooling or the gas company right away if this happens.

A Furnace Area That’s Clutter-Free

Maintain a clean area around your furnace. Do not store chemicals such as paint thinners, gasoline or aerosols in the area surrounding your furnace; they are extremely flammable! Keep the area free from clutter. This includes garbage, laundry, old rags, or wood scraps that can easily become a fire hazard.

Changing the Filter

At Distinct Heating & Cooling, we recommend changing your air filter every 2 to 3 months. This simple – but often overlooked tip prevents your Calgary furnace from becoming clogged and possibly overheating. An overworked system may increase the risk of a carbon monoxide leak. Also, a dirty filter will allow dirt and other particles to interfere with your furnace’s components causing a number of efficiency, performance, and safety issues.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Furnace safety in your home continues with the proper detection. Every floor of your house should have at least one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is very real and dangerous, however, with the excellent detectors available on the market coupled with annual maintenance puts this threat at minimal risk.

Also, be sure that all these devices are working properly, so test them at least once every month. The average lifespan of a detector is about ten years. Batteries should be replaced once per year, but always keep a spare set on hand.

Inspection and Maintenance

Furnaces are machines comprised of complicated parts and moving components. To operate properly, and ensure safety, these parts and components require periodic inspection. At Distinct Heating & Cooling, we recommend yearly inspections and tune ups of your Calgary furnace and home comfort equipment.

We offer an annual 30 point maintenance inspection that takes care of your furnace so that you don’t have to think about it. We will inspect & test for gas pressure & leaks, air flow, thermostat operation, safety controls, ignition system, CO testing, condition of burner tubes and many more items.

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About Us

What makes us different from other heating and cooling companies that replaces Calgary furnaces? We do more than talk about customer service. At Distinct, we do business according to old-fashioned values.